Hear the surf, see whales & jungle wildlife pass by!
Location: Dominical, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Central America (S./Cen. Pacif. Coast 3 hrs. from San Jose 30 min. from Quep)
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 4 Baths (Sleeps 8-12)
Keywords: 2 Houses & 1 Studio Apartment
"Shelter From the Storm" is a group of three villas (including the owners’ house) and an efficiency apartment, perched on a five acre mountainside point, approximately 60 meters above the Pacific Ocean; high enough to give dramatic views (think Big Sur in California) of the coastline to the Osa Peninsula but low enough to hear the waves breaking on the rocks below. Perfect for family reunions or group vacations, Shelter from the storm consists of two luxurious villas and a charming efficiency apartment tucked into the jungle and oriented to maximize privacy while allowing for the "outside living" so popular in this part of the world.
Villa Las Rocas, designed as a two level, two bedroom, two bath with separate entrances to accommodate two to six people. The lower unit, Baja Las Rocas sleeps two in a luxurious suite with a kitchenette and private patio with an outstanding ocean view. The upper unit, Las Rocas Arriba, sleeps two in a king-size bed in the bedroom with room for another two in the queen-size murphy bed in the indoor salon.
Villa La Cuesta is a one bedroom/one bath home with Murphy-bed and will accommodate two to four people. If your group is larger, an additional luxury studio apartment (The Monkey House) is available to sleep 2 people. All residences exhibit locally handcrafted custom hardwood windows, doors, furniture, cabinetry, throughout.
Just TWO MINUTES off the beautiful paved coastal highway and less than ten minutes to Dominical to the north, or Uvita to the south, "Shelter from the Storm" offers the peace and privacy you expect on your tropical vacation but near enough to the nightlife, abundant restaurants, shopping and recreation facilities to satisfy even the most active traveler.
We would be happy to assist in booking horseback rides along the beach or to beautiful waterfalls, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, fishing trips, zip-line rides, canopy tours, birdwatching tours, or hiking at Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge. A relaxing massage or gourmet dinner can also be booked in the privacy of your villa. Rental car pick-up at the airport can also be arranged if so desired.
All of the villas enjoy fresh ocean breezes during the day and even cooler mountain breezes every night, although all have air-conditioning and ceiling fans in every room.
All residences include kitchen facilities and all electrical appliances, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, phones with internet access (bring your laptop,) Egyptian cotton sheets and towels, and CD players with a library of hundreds of discs available.
Why travel all over the country to search for wildlife when, from our living room we see not only monkeys (both howlers and white face) but, also sloths, coati, beautiful butterflies, and dozens of species of birds including hummingbirds, toucans, toucanet, parrots, soaring falcons and of course, pelicans.
Cast your gaze to the ocean to see passing dolphins and during migrating season (November to March) it is not unusual to see whales breaching in Coronado Bay.
We are located within ten minutes of at least five pristine beaches from the world class surf breaks of Playa Dominical to virtually deserted stretches of Playa Hermosa to the protected waters of Playa Ballena, probably the most perfect swimming beach on the Pacific coast. Or, if you prefer, enjoy relaxing around the ocean view pool lounging on our locally handcrafted teak outdoor furniture.
Take advantage of our spacious bamboo covered bar/barbeque rancho area with huge stainless steel gas grill, stereo, honor bar, refrigerator, bathroom, full dining facilities, reading library,hammocks and extensive video library and Direct TV satellite television.
For much more information and guest testimonials type "shelter from the storm costa rica" into your search engine.
Contact us here in Costa Rica or e-mail below
Pura Vida, Donna & Daryl
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Washer : This washer is shared with the other units. We also supply detergent and fabric softener
- Dryer
- Covered Parking
- Beds
- King Bed : In the master suite in Villa Las Rocas Arriba
- Queen Bed : In the lower suite in Villa Baja Las Rocas
- Double Bed : In the Monkey House
- Twin/Single Bed : King size bed in the master suite in Villa Las Rocas Arriba can be converted to two twins
- Convertible Bed
- Child Bed : Let us know if you need this set up.
- Murphy Bed : These beautiful murphy beds are custom made from local hardwoods and feature queen-size orthopedic mattresses.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library : We have a library of dozens of DVD's as well as twelve movie channels available in the entertainment center in the pool/rancho.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library : We have hundreds of CDs as well as MP3 downloads available.
- Shared Pool
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- View/Location
- Oceanfront
- Ocean View
- Mountain View : Amazing sunrises over the Talamaca Mountains
- Communications
- Telephone
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : The entire Shelter From the Storm Property is a WiFi Zone. Check emails from the privacy of your villa, inside the poolside rancho or at Sunrise Point.
- Other Amenities
- Phone with internet access ( bring your laptop), Kitchen, coffee maker, blender, toaster, Egyptian cotton Linens provided, & Covered Parking, Also a pool with ocean view adjacent a large Entertainment Rancho with honor bar, bathroom, large stainless steel BBQ, hammocks, sitting and dining area, and satelite TV/Stereo
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- Smoking Allowed : We ask that you not smoke inside the villas but you are welcome to indulge on patios, verandas or anywhere around the pool. Please be considerate of other guests
- Activities
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Rafting
- Hiking
- Restaurants
- Other Activities
- Birdwatching, Butterfly farm, Trips to dramatic waterfalls, Friday Night Cinema in the Jungle, Yoga, Spanish language lessons, surfing lessons, Serpentaria, Personal Chef and Massage
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
If you wish to rent ALL FOUR residences at Shelter From the Storm
December 15 - April 15 $675/night $4040/week
June 15 - August 15 $607/night $3630/week
20% extra for holiday weeks
Discounts vary for other other dates. Ask for your rate
Rates are for up to 2 people per residence. $20 a day per extra person.
Check our website calendars for availabilities or for rental rates for individual
villas.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 1993
Although Shelter From The Storm was originally intended to be a winter retreat from our life in the States, a fire in 1999 that destroyed our motor home (along with everything we owned in the States) prompted us to decide to stay here and retire early, albeit with insufficient resources. At the same time, the Costa Rican government decided to open the southern zone to tourism by paving the coast road and bringing in electricity to our remote corner of the world. Things started to change quickly. Our “retirement” came to an abrupt end with the bursting of the "tech bubble" and the precipitous drop in our retirement funds along with a government raid on our "off shore investment house" (think Bernie Madoff) left us with the need to "go to plan B."
With most of our retirement money gone and our only significant asset being four mountainside acres with the most incredible views in the world, it was decided that we had to develop our property and share our good fortune with the world.
Knowing nothing about the "hospitality business" we just tried to think of what we would want in the perfect vacation and decided to provide everything based on that.
As it turns out, three years later, we did everything right! We have filled our days with productive activity, pleased hundreds of people and live a life that anyone would love.
Why the Owner Chose Dominical
Donna and I (Daryl) bought our property in the winter of 1993 while on off season leave from our jobs with the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus (more about that when we meet.)
we found ourselves at "the end of the earth" with no roads, no electricity, one phone in the village and the most amazing ocean views we had ever seen, we decided right then to buy a piece of this paradise as our escape from the madness of the developed world and to retreat from the seemingly capricious changes rapidly overtaking society. It didn't work.
It seems that an area of such breathtaking beauty and remarkable biodiversity is not allowed to remain a secret forever.Although not originally purchased to build a "rental," Shelter From the Storm has always been a a refuge from the madness. From our first visit to the property wearing boots and cutting our way in with machetes, we were filled with such an inner peace that there was left no doubt that we had found "nirvana." The gentle roar of the the waves breaking on the rocks below and the chatter of the capuchin monkeys passing overhead told us that our traveling days were over.
The Unique Benefits of this House
When staying at Shelter From the Storm, you will enjoy the benefit of our presence; unobtrusive but available. If there is something that you find that you need we are there to provide it. If there is something that doesn't work just right, we are there to make it right. If you would like to know where to eat, what tours to take (and which ones NOT to take) where to get groceries, medicines, dental care or have your rental car towed out of a mud bog, we are there. We are housekeeping, concierge, maintenance, room service and tour guide. We have combined the privacy and luxury of private residences with the services of the finest hotels in the world. Like "W" Hotels, we have adopted the motto, "Whatever you want; whenever you want it."
Property Photos
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- Hear the surf, see whales & jungle wildlife pass by! - Dominical, Costa Rica Vacation Rental
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- Pool deck with Villa La Cuesta, The Monkey House and Casa Eclectica - Dominical, Costa Rica Vacation Rental
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- Villa Las Rocas/upper and lower Sleeps 2-6 - Dominical, Costa Rica Vacation Rental
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- Villa Las Rocas arriba bedroom with an AMAZING view!
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- Villa Las Rocas arriba kitchen, indoor salon and patio
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- Villa La Cuesta/ One bedroom plus murphy bed. Sleeps 2-4.
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- Villa La Cuesta bedroom brings the jungle inside
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- Outdoor living at its finest, The porch at Villa La Cuesta
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- Kitchen cabinets locally made with beautiful Costa Rican hardwoods
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- Relax inside pool rancho equipped with honor bar, satelite tv, and hammocks
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- Pool rancho from the upper entrance
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- The Monkey House
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- Inside the Monkey House
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- The Monkey House Veranda
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- One of our Murphy Beds
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- One of our frequent visitors, taken from the veranda in Villa La Cuesta
Traveler Reviews (27)
After staying at Shelter From the Storm you know you will be back again..
Guest: Barb
(Kingston Ontario Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/28/11
Review Submitted: 01/24/12
My families experience at Villa Las Rocas was one of the best vacations we ever had together. The villas view had me up at 5:30 every morning because I didn't want to miss a minute of one of he most beautiful views you could ever imagine. The villa had everything we needed as we did most of our own cooking and the beds were so comfortable. We spent a lot of time by the pool and at the rancho just relaxing and enjoying the day after our activities. We packed in as many activities as possible all with in a short driving range. There are ample choices of restaurants for both lunch and dinner, including fine dining experiences for those that want a special night out. The time goes by so fast you can't believe its time to leave You would be hard pressed to find any better people and hosts then Donna and Daryl who we enjoyed as much as our vacation. First class accommodations in a natural private environment. We will be back soon...with luck next year...
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Shelter From The Storm is a rare gem in a gorgeous country.
Guest: azhuetter
(Raleigh, NC)
Date of Stay: 08/05/11
Review Submitted: 09/22/11
Daryl and Donna truly went above and beyond to make our stay an incredible one. Not only did they provide excellent accommodations, but they also enriched every other aspect of our stay with their hospitality and knowledge of the area. It's rare to come across hosts like this, they cared very much that we were enjoying our time in Costa Rica and did whatever they could to help coordinate our daily adventures with the local tour companies. They were very attentive to any need or request that we presented to them, making us feel as though we were family. Upon our arrival, we were pleasantly surprised to find a welcome basket with local fruit, coffee, and other items. The villas were clean, quiet, and comfortable. Having breakfast each morning, watching the sunrise and hearing the jungle come to life, all while sitting at our outdoor dining room table was a perfect way to start each day. If you get the chance to have one of Daryl's world-famous margaritas, be sure not to miss it. Winding down in the evenings while sitting next to their open-air bar was a great way to end an adventurous day.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.
Amazing Experience! Can't wait to go back
Guest: MikeS
(Oceanside, CA. USA)
Date of Stay: 07/18/11
Review Submitted: 08/30/11
We've done a lot of traveling around the world and this area of Costa Rica ranks with any great tropical get away you can imagine. It has a very safe, laid back vibe everywhere without that tourist trap feeling. Shelter From The Storm came highly recommended to us and we were blown away upon arrival. We stayed in the Monkey House which was perfect for the two of us. We really enjoyed the view of the rain forest from the private balcony and the ocean view from the kitchen as well as the wildlife that roams the property is constant entertainment. We especially liked the Rancho area where we barbecued a few meals and enjoyed the pool and honor bar. The owners Donna and Daryl where very accommodating hosts who pointed us in the right direction for activities, beaches and restaurants. We will most definitely be back, but unfortunately not soon enough. Believe all the reviews here, the place is amazing!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.
Better than we imagined!
Guest: Josh C.
(Aliso Viejo, California USA)
Date of Stay: 10/06/10
Review Submitted: 08/01/11
My wife and I recently spent our honeymoon here for about 5 days. We stayed in the 'monkey house' and found it to be even better than we had imagined. The property has about 4 other areas to stay as well but we preferred the monkey house as it was up in the trees and had great views of the monkeys coming in the morning and at dusk! The "rancho" was great too, a central place to congregat and "hang out". They have a bar there with plenty of drinks, a BBQ grill, hamock, a little mini library of books, plenty of seating and open air views of the ocean. The pool is also great, not too big and not too small. Also with amazing views of the ocean and occasionally you can see the monkeys going through the trees while in the swimming pool. The nearby towns are quite authentic and makes you feel like you're actually in Costa Rica (the real Costa Rica) rather than some american-ized Cancun resort town. It is not tourist-y at all, which my wife and I appreciated a lot. Why go on vacation to another country/culture only to be handfed the same stuff you get at home!! There are plenty of cool little shops in Dominical and Uvita (in each direction of their property). Plenty of beaches which are not very crowded and lots of other activities to do like horseback riding to a huge waterfall in the jungle, zipline 80ft above the jungle floor, and other interesting sites to see like the butterfly garden. All in all this place is amazing and will give you a genuine experience in Costa Rica. I think that is what most people would like to have anyway - to get away from stressful normal life and just relax in a beautiful and untouched habitat. Thank you for having us we will definitely be back soon!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing.
YES!! SFTS is the right choice.
Guest: Sam1Rudy
(Gloucester, Virginia, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/06/11
Review Submitted: 07/27/11
Shelter From The Storm is a definate drop your socks, first class stay. You WILL have a great time, you WILL love the place. I don't think it matters which villa you stay in, the owners have created such a lovely, unique enviroment in each one, you will probably want to try them all just for fun. We stayed in two. And as comfortable and relaxing as each villa is, it is the ambiance of SFTS as a whole that sets it miles apart from the competition. It truly seems as if you have entered a little, mini neighborhood where the inhabitants are all friendly, fun, and laid back. (The way you wish it could be at home) The villas are located in such a way as to afford plenty of privacy if that's what you want. But the center of the "neighborhood" is the Rancho. If you want to take a nice dip in the pool, watch TV, play games, cook on the grill, or have a drink and swap tourist info, it's just a few steps from your villa. And since there are only four villas, it's never too crowded. Now, the true highlight of this lovely neighborhood is Donna and Daryl, the owners. They are the best travel agents, helping with anything you want to do. And there is a lot to do in this area. They are also the most gracious and entertaining hosts we've ever met while on vacation around the world. Simply put, they are great, good fun. I won't waste time repeating what others have said over and over about SFTS, except to say it's all true. Donna & Daryl, we thank you again for an exceptional stay. You have created a small slice of heaven in the middle of a tropical paradise.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.
Awesome vacation getaway!
Guest: JuneBug_T
(Green Bay, Wisconsin USA)
Date of Stay: 06/08/11
Review Submitted: 07/27/11
My husband and I spent 9 nights at Shelter from the Storm in the Monkey House. We enjoyed every minute of this relaxing paradise. The covered veranda with beautiful fresh cut flowers and Costa Rican rocking chairs beckoned us to sit and read or enjoy the jungle sounds and troop of monkeys swinging by from time to time. We visited the Rancho gathering area each night and Daryl's honor bar. Sometimes we would find other guests there cooking dinner on the stainless steel grill and listening to the hundreds of available DVDs. We enjoyed meeting them and exchanging stories from the day's adventures. This property is quiet, intimate, and a true gem off the beaten path. There are only 2 others villas to rent (they are gorgeous), which results in a max of 14 people.....a far cry from the all in one inclusive resorts where guests become numbers. Everything is immaculate from the landscaped grounds to the meticulously appointed accommodations. Daryl and Donna ARE the consummate hosts who have thought of everything a guest could possibly need, starting with a welcome basket of fresh pineapple, mango, cookies, and a pound of Costa Rican coffee. They helped us for weeks before arriving by emailing tips such as renting a 4 wheel drive vehicle from Solid Car and having them deliver to Pura Vida Hotel in Alejuela where we stayed upon arrival in San Jose. Daryl provided candid advice on site seeing and booked our trips: zip line nature tour @ Hacienda Baru, Cano Isle snorkeling, horseback riding to waterfalls, and ultra light flight. We have traveled far and wide, nothing compares to this beautiful place and the legendary Daryl and Donna. We felt like house guests and will never forget the most relaxing vacation we have ever had. I can't wait to go back.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway.
Been 3 times here, hoping to go back soon
Guest: Jrothdog
(Long Beach, CA )
Date of Stay: 04/13/11
Review Submitted: 05/23/11
This was my wife and my 3rd trip to Costa Rica, each time we have stayed at Shelter From The Storm. 2006, New Years 2009/2010 and just this past April 2011. We now have stayed in all 3 villas as well and each of them is fantastic. It's hard to choose which one I like better, La Cuesta was fantastic but the views from the balcony at Las Rocas were awesome, you can't go wrong with any of them. I've recommended this place to everyone I know that is going down there and currently have 2 friends on their way this summer. Darryl and Donna are the most accommodating owners you could ask for. My wife and I are very interested in finding animals. Birds, reptiles, mammals, all of it. If you're looking for wildlife to view, this place is perfect. We've seen so much just staying there, you almost don't need to go anywhere else. Even though we went out at 6am hiking everyday, that's just what we do, but you can find more than enough just staying here and observing and relaxing. I just wish I already had another trip down there booked so I could look forward to another stay.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing.
Heaven in the Jungle
Guest: Jesse
(Fort Myers, FL)
Date of Stay: 04/22/11
Review Submitted: 05/17/11
We have been coming to the Dominical area on and off, since 1998. The best “find” we have made there is “Shelter from the Storm”. Nestled on a lookout over the Pacific ocean and where the breezes sweep up to cool the mid-day air, you couldn’t find a more peaceful, serene place to relax after a glorious day of zip-lining, horseback riding or stomping thru the many jungle experiences that you can find within close proximity. While there we were treated to a troop of Howler Monkeys right outside our villa, saw sloths in the nearby trees, daily visits from Blue Morpho butterflies, the mournful cries of Toucans along with daily sightings. All in all it was the perfect jungle setting in an absolutely refined, ultra-comfortable, clean and accommodating residence. Daryl and Donna, the proprietors, were masters at caring for all of our many needs while we were there, from booking appointments for rental cars, to on the beach horseback rides, to reservations to the best restaurants in the area. They know what good service means and render it with love and kindness. You won’t find better proprietors anywhere! The villas are extremely well appointed, with touches of Costa Rican culture throughout, including wonderful Boruca masks and gorgeous murals. The Rancho serves as the “watering-hole”, a shelter-within-the-shelter, to lounge on hammocks, cool off in the pool and indulge in a favorite beverage after a long day at the beach. In the world of travel it is always a joy to stumble upon a true gem. Shelter from the Storm is such a find. When the batteries need re-charging….we will definitely be back.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Everything we thought and more!
Guest: TJJL
(Omaha, Nebraska USA)
Date of Stay: 03/15/11
Review Submitted: 04/14/11
Shelter From The Storm is an amazing find in the jungle overlooking the ocean. We stayed in Villa La Cuesta for 6 nights and it had everything we needed for our family of 4. We had our 11 year old son and 9 year old daughter with us and they had a great time too. The villa was spotless, well furnished and the wraparound outside living area was our favorite spot, whether sitting there early in the morning hearing the jungle wake up around us or late in the evening having dinner listening to the sounds of the jungle at night. The rancho with honor bar, hammocks, sitting areas, library of books and of course the pool was perfect. We spent many hours just hanging out there and sharing stories of our days with Donna, Daryl and other guests. Shelter From The Storm is in a perfect location with amazing beaches just minutes away, good grocery stores just 10 minutes away in Uvita, a great variety of restaurants nearby, horseback riding, ziplining, waterfalls, jungle hikes all just minutes away...you get the idea. If you want an adventurous jungle hike, have Alvin (the gardener at SFTS) take you into the rainforest below the villas to the waterfalls. It was one of the highlights of our trip. When he showed up with his machete and 50 foot of rope we knew we were in for an adventure. Daryl and Donna - they are talked about in many of the reviews and all I can say is I agree with them all. They were so helpful with my many emails with questions before the trip and were so patient and helpful with us during our stay. They had great advice on activities and restaurants and made all the reservations for us for our activities. They were so accomodating to our children and were genuinely conerned about making sure they had a great time too. We left feeling like we had gained new friends. To sum it up, my wfie and I have traveled to many parts of the earth looking for the perfect beach/adventure/jungle destination. We finally found the spot, the Southern Pacific Coast in Costa Rica and Shelter From The Storm. We will be back!!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing, families with young children.
Paradise in the rain forest
Guest: jtfreitas
(Natick, MA)
Date of Stay: 03/13/11
Review Submitted: 04/07/11
It's a long trip from Boston to Shelter From the Storm, but when we awoke the morning after our arrival we knew it was worth every minute. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors in the bedroom revealed a landscape reminiscent of Da Vinci, or perhaps a Japanese woodcut. The Pacific ocean, rimmed by the misty lush vegetation of the rain forest mountains was breathtaking to behold. We thought we could stay in our suite the entire day, sipping wine and enjoying the view. And in fact, on that day at least, we did. The proprietors, Daryl and Donna, keep the place meticulously clean and seem to appear magically whenever you need them. On one occasion, I was about to pick up the phone to ask if Daryl would bring some fresh spring water, when he knocked on the door carrying a huge jug on his shoulder. The pool, always clear and fresh, is a wonderful spot to take a dip after a hot day exploring the rain forest, and right next to it is the "rancho," where Daryl keeps beer, wine, and other refreshments subject to a pay-as-you-go honor system. The wildlife is, of course, unpredictable, but on this trip a troop of white-faced monkeys came crashing through the trees next to our veranda like the circus was coming to town. They seemed to be as curious about us as we were about them. There are many more marvels of nature to behold right there at the resort. Everywhere you turn there are bananas, mangoes, coconut trees, and pineapples. Truly a paradise in the rain forest, even if you never leave the property.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #88725
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